Galvanizing apparatus



P. PICCIANI.

GALVANIZING APPARATUS.

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P. PICCIANI.

SALVANIZING APPARATUS.

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PASKAL PIGGIANI, OF MUNESSEN, PENNSYLVANIA.

GALVAIZING APPARATUS.

Bpeccation of Letters Patent. APatented D130, 28, 1920,

. Application le May 11, 1920. Serial No. 380,479.

To nl? 'whom if www concer/i.:

Be it known that I, PASKAL PICCIANI, a citizen oiY the United States, residing at Monessen. Vt'cstinorcland county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Im provement in (iralvanizing Apparatus, ot which the following is a full, clear, and exact. description.

The present invention relates broadly1 to coating apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for galvanizing small artieics,

An important object of the present invention is to provide means for positively feed` ing the baskets` ot' material to be coated into and out oi' the galvanizing bath.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for automaticaliy emptying the baskets after the contents thereof have been coated, and transferring the empty baskets to a loading station.

A `further object of the invention is to provide means for removing the surplus coating from the articles and for transferring .them in their Finished condition to a cooling drum.

The, foregoing and other objects, together with their attendant advantages, will be ap parent the invention becomes hotter understood, by reference to the accompanying specification and drawings forming a part thereof, it heing premised that changes may he made in the various details and the manner of operation, within the scope ot' the appended claims, without departing from the Aspirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side View of my improved apparatus.

1Fig. 2 is a )lan view of the apparatus illustrated in l* ig. l.

Fig. 3 is a side elevationon an enlarged scale, ot the mechanism for feeding the baskets into and out of the galvanizing bath. Fig. t is a plan view ot' a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fie. 5 is a detail vview of the guides for the 'ceding fingers.

Fig. Vif is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion ot the apparatus illustrating the means for removing the surpius coating.

Fig. T is a sectional view on the line 'ifi i-\'ll ot Fig. (i, looking in the direction of the arrow, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the magnets for transferring the coated articles to the 'cooling drum.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated a tank 1 adapted to contain the galvanizing hath which may be heated in any Well known manner. Extending through the tank is a pair of spaced side guide rails 2, and an intermediate bottom rail Cooperating with the rails 2 and 3 at the entering end of the tank are similar side rails 4 with a bottom load-supporting rail 5. These rails are adapted to support baskets 6 which contain the articles to be coated. As soon as a basket has been filled with the desired articles, it is placed in the full line position illustrated in Fig. 3, 1n

which position it is adapted to be engaged by feeding mechanism effective for moving the same into the tank 1. In the preferred embodiment this feeding mechanism comprises an eccentric 7 carried by the shaft 8 which is mounted in suitable bearings 9. Connected at one end to the eccentric 7 is a pitman l0, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of a lever 11 having a pivotal mounting 12 intermediate its ends. The lower end of the lever l1 has a lost motion connection, such as a pin and slot connection 13 with the rod 1i mounted in bearings 15 on one side of the galvanizing tank. This rod is adapted to oscillate the arm 16 carried bya transversely extending shaft 17 through the crank arm 18 and the link 19. From the mechanism described,

. it Will be apparent that when the shaft 8 is rotated the rod 14 will be reciproeated in the bearings 15 to oscillate the arm 16. The upper end of the arm 1G extends through a keeper 20 secured to the feeder bar 21, and reciprocates the feeder bar. At its lower end the feeder bar is adapted to slide in an elongated bearing 22 while at its upper end it slides through a bearing 23 mounted on the tank l. This bar is mounted adjacent one of the guide rails 4 and reciprocates in a direction parallel thereto. ln the form of the invention illustrated, it is provided with a series of openings through which extend feeding fingers 24 overlying the rails 4 and 5 and adapted to engage the baskets 6 placed thereon. The feeding lingers are carried by spring arms 25 secured to the side of the feeder bar 2l pd permitting transverse reciprocal move `ent of the feeding fingers.

This transverse movement of the fingersy is produced during longitudinal reciprocation of the feeder bar by providing each of the spring arms witha downwardly extending projection 26 adapted to work in a guide groove 2T. Each of these guide grooves comprises a. portion extending substantially parallel with the feeder arm. travel of the projections 2G through this portion of the guide groove, t .e fingers 24 will remain in their full line positions indicated clearly in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Normally closing this portion of the guide grooves is a spring point 28 adapted to be pushed laterally by the projections 26 during their travel. As soon, however, as the projections pass the free ends of the spring points` they will immediately return to the position illustrated in detail in Fig. 5, thereby causing the projections 26 on the return movement of the feeding bar 2l to pass along the inclined portion 29 of the guide grooves. This will result in gradually withdrawing the feeding fingers 24 from coperaiion with the baskets (i, thereby permit ting a retrograde movement of the feeding bar to a position in which a new basket may be engaged. At the limit of the rearward movement of the feeder bar, the projections will enter the transverse portions 30 of the guide grooves permitting the spring arms 25 to move the feeding fingers into their operaitive positions. lf desired. each of the guide grooves may be provided with a block 31 which may be slid to close the entrance to the portion of the groove 30, thereby causing the: projections 26 to reciprocate back and forth in the inclined.portions 29 without producL incf any feeding movement of the baskets 6. The guide rails 4 are preferably so positioned that they will exert a slight binding action on the baskets G. preventing the same from sliding backwardly after the feeding fingers 24 .start on their return movement.

The feeding fingers 24, just described, will be effective for movingr a basket 6 from the full line position indicated in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position n illustrated in this ligure. From this point the baskets must be moved onto the guide rails 2 and 3 by a separate mechanism. This mechanism, as 'illustrated herein, may comprise a pitman 32 operated by a crank 33 formed in the shaft R. This pitman in turn is adapted to rock the lever 34- about the axis 12 before described. The lower end of the lever 34 has a lost motion connection with the longitudinally extending bar 35 mounted on the top of the tank l. This bar is connectedl by a lilik 36 with a second feeder bar 37 extending at an angle to the feeder bar 21 and slideble in the guide 38. This feeder bar has extendingr therethrough and overlying the rails 4 and 5. a feedingr finger 39 normally held in the position indicated in Fig. 4 by a spring 40 placed thereon. Ihe finger iS` During the adapted to be transversely reciprocated in a manner similar to the movement imparted to the feeding fingers 24 by a guide groove 41. This feeding linger will beeffeotive for move ing the baskets from the position a, shown in Fig. 3, to the position b within the tank. From the position b the baskets will be pushed through the tank by the succeeding baskets fed thereinto in the manner described.

Adjacent the opposite end of the tank the bar 35 is connected by means of a link 42 with a third feeder bar 43 slidable in suitable guides 44. This feeder bar is adapted to control the operation of feeding fingers 45 which are similar to the feeding fin ers 24, and effective for removingr the bas ets from the tank. According to the present invention. the baskets are preferably moved from the position a within the tank to the position d adjacent the discharge end manually so that the operator may observe the condition of the articles and apply a suitable fluxing material, if desired. The feeding fingers 45 move the baskets into the position e where they are engaged by the hooked end 46 of the bottom rail 3, as clearly shown in Fig. (i. Fromthis position, the baskets are adapted to be moved to in verted emptying position on the supports 47 overlying the chute 48, by means of a pivotally mounted lever 4S). The upper end of this lever is provided with a. hinged finger 50 permitting movement thereof in one direction, but preventing bendingr movement in the o )posits direction. During;r reciprocation of the slide rod 14 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, the hinged finger 50 will clear the basket at the position e and move to the position indicated in this figure by means of the pin 51 on the bar 35. Upon movement of the slide rod and bar in the reverse direction, the finger 50 will engage the back of the basket and tilt the same onto `the supports 47 when the lever is engaged by the pin 52. The pins 51 and 52 are spaced a sufficient distance so that a lost motion connection is provided effective for operating'the lever 49 only at the desired intervals. Coperating with the supports 47 is a curved guard 53 effective for centering the baskets in inverted position on the support-s whereby the baskets are emptied. As soon as the baskets have been emptied, and the slide rod 14 and bar 35 start on their next return movement to the left, as before described, the empty basket will be engaged by a pusher 54 operatively connected to one end of the bell crank 55 having a pivotal mounting 56, and operated by the pin 51 and a` collar 57 on the bar 35. As soon as the basket leaves the guard 53, it will engage the inclined portions on the support 47 and slide into a position where it will be engaged by the` traveling conveyer 58, by

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means of which it will be transferred to the loading station adjacent the entrance end of the tank. At this point, the outer support 47 may be curved upwardly as indicated at 59, and the inner support may be curved downwardly, as indicated at 60, for imparting the desired discharging movement to the basket.

The coated articles will pass down the chute 48 into the perforated drum Gl which may be mounted for rotation, preferably at a slow rate of speed by a gear or other driving mechanism 62. The entering end of the drum 6l may be provided with a bailie (33 preventing the coated articles from falling out of the entrance end of the drum. As the drum rotates, these articles will be engaged and fed inwardly by inclined baffles 64 positioned around the interior of the drum. As the coated articles leave the bafies (34, they will be engaged and lifted by spaced projections 65 forming pockets on the interior of the drum. From these pockets, as the same pass above the center line of the drum, the articles will fall by gravity onto the rapidly rotating conveyer 66 on the shaft 6?. This shaft is adapted to be driven at a comparatively high rate of speed by a pulley or other mechanism 68. rlhe conveyer 66 will throw the articles over the baille 69 into the pockets` formed between the ribs 70. Passage of the articles out of the drum, under the infiuence of the conveyer. will bc prevented by a centrally positioned bams 7l, which may be loosely or rotatably carriedby the shaft (S7. I have found that by providing burners TQ for heating the drum 61, the articles will lose any surplus coating and approach the discharge end of the drum ready ,for use. This surplus coating may be reclaimed in any desired manner not disclosed herein.

Before packaging the coated articles, it is desirable to cool the same and for this purpose I may provide a second drum 73 extending in horizontal alinement with the drum Gl but preferably of a smaller diameter. For transferring the coated articles from one drum to the other without any of the surplus coating, l provide a series of electromagnets 74 mounted on vertically extending rods 75 cailrying pulleys TG at their upper ends engaging a track TT which may be supported in operative position by braces 78. The electromagnets are adapted to be operated continuously b v means of an endless chain 79 passing around the guide sprockets S0 at each end and driven by the intermediate sprocket 8l on a shaft 82. lr' the sprocket 8l is rotated to move the magnets in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. 8, the lower portion of the track extending from the point g to the point f. as viewed in Fig. 8, may be made of insulating material, while the remainder of the track may be formed of conducting material. `With such a construction one side of the electric circuit may be connected to the shaft 82 and the opposite side of the circuit to the conducting portion of the track 77. With such a connection, as soon as the pulleys 7G pass into the drum Gl beyond the point f, they will be energized and pick up the coated articles and carry the same into the receiving end of the drum 73. As soon as the pulleys pass the point g in the drum 73, the magnets will be deenergized and discharge their load. This operation may be repeated continuously for transferring the coated articles.

The advantages of the present invention arise from the means provided for positively charging and discharging baskets of material to be coated into and out of the galvanizing bath.

Further advantages arise from the means for removing the surplus coating and transferring the finished articles to the cooling drum.

I claim:

l. A galvanizing apparatus, comprising a tank, means for feeding baskets of material into 'said tank, means for removing said baskets from the tank, and means for automaticall emtying said baskets after they are remove substantially as described.

2. A galvanizing apparatus, comprising a tank, means for feeding baskets of material into said tank, means for removing said baskets from the tank, means for automatically emptying said baskets, and means for transferring said empty baskets to a loading station, substantially as described.

3. A galvanizing apparatus, comprising a tank. means for feeding baskets of material into said tank, means for remm'ing said baskets from the tank after the material is coated, means f'or automatically emptyingv kets from the tank after thematerial is coated, means for automatically emptying said baskets, means for transferring the empty baskets to a loading station, and means for removing the surplus coating from said material, substantially as described.

5. A galvanizing apparatus, comprising a tank, means for feeding baskets of material into said tank, means for removing said baskets from the tank, means for automatically emptying said baskets, a drum for removing the surplus coating from said material, a cooling drum, and means for transferring the material from said first mentioned drum to said second mentioned drum, substantially as described. ,s

. A galvanizing apparatus, comprising s,

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tank, means for feeding baskets of material into said tank, means for removing said baskets from the tank, means for automatically emptying said baskets, a drum for removingr tbe surplus coating trom said material. a cooling drum, and electromagnettl means for transferring the material from said first mentioned drum to said serond mentioned drum, substantially as de scribed.

T. A galranizinpr ap'iaratus, comprising a` tank, means for moving baskets of material to be coated into and out oli said tank, a drum, means for emptying said baskets of material after coating into said drum, means coperatin,r with said drum for removing the surplus coating from said material, a cooling drinn, and means for transferring the material from said first mentioned drum to said second drum` substantially as de scribed.

S. A galvanizing apparatus, comprising a` tank, means for moving l'iaskets of material to be coated into and out of said tank, a drinn. means for emptying; said baskets of material a iter coating into said drinn, means em'iperating with Said drum for removing tiirsnrplus coating from said material, a cooling drinn, and eiectrolnagiletirI means tor transferring the material from said first nientinned drum to said second drum, substanlialli as described.

it. A gahanizing apparatus, comprisingr a coating tank, ine-ans for moving tlie articles to be mated through said tank, a drinn, means` Vt'or transferring said coated articles to said drum, a rotatingy conveyer in said drinn, a` second drnni, and means for transferring said articles from said first mentioned drum to said second mentioned drum, snbstantiall)Y as described.

1U. A ,alvanizingr apparatus, Comprising coating tank, means for moving the rticles to be coated through said tank, a

drum, means for transferring said coated articles to said drum, a rotating eonreyer in said drum, a seeond drum, and electromagnetic means for transferring said articles fom said first mentioned drum to said second mentioned drum, substantiallyv as described.

l1. The Combination witl; a` gaivanizing apparatus, of means tor naleving surplus coating 'from tbe galvanized artieles, said means comprising a` drum, means for rotating said drum, a. eonreyer in said drum for agitating;r the coated articles, a second drum, and means for transferring the coated articles from the rst drinn to the second drinn WithoutI transferring tbe surplus coat ing, substantially as described.

l2. The combination. Witb a galvanizingr apparatus, ot' means for removing surplus coating from the. `,ralvanized articles, said means comprising a. drum, means for rotat ing said drum, a` eonveyer in said drum for agitatinpr the coated articles, a second drum, and electr()magnetie means tor tralister-ring;` the coated articles from the {irst drum to tbe second drum without: transferring the surplus coating, substantially as described.

t3. A galvanixingY apparatus, eoi'nprising a tank, means for feeding baskets of materiai into and out of said tank, means for emptyiing tile baskets of material after tlnir re mov-al from the tank, and means for remmYA ing the .surplus coating from said material, substantiaiiry as described.

14. A galvanizing apparatus,comprising a tank, means for feeding baskets ot material into and out of said tank, nii-ans, for emptyY ing the baskets ot material a lter their reA movai from tbe tank, and a rotating drum for removing tite surplus coatingr 'from said material, substantially as deseribed.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand.

PASKAL ll (CTAN. 

